Long span structures



Feb. 25, 1969 J. DU'NDR 3,429,091

LONG SPAN STRUCTURES Filed May 1, 1967 Sheet of 5 43 F162 7 F165 FIG.8 I

F165 F166 F169 F164 1 1G? F|G.IO

so 76 74 i 77 78 27 FIGII FIG.|2 FIGI?) JOSEF DUNDR 82 INVENTOR 275i E 83 BY W g FlG.|4

ATTORNEY Feb. 25, 1969 J. DUNDR 3,429,091

1.01:9 SPAN STRUCTURES Filed May 1, 1967 Sheet i of 5 200 JOSEF DUNDR B 12122; q INVENTOR FIG. 2| BY 3 I ATTORNEY Feb. 25, 1969 Filed May 1, 1967 Sheet 3 of 5 I142 mes K I44 l4? j JOSEF DUNDR INVENTOR FIG. 22 BY W ATTORNEY J. DUNDR 3,429,091

LONG SPAN STRUCTURES United States Patent Office 3,429,091 Patented Feb. 25, 1969 3,429,091 LONG SPAN STRUCTURES Josef Dundr, 8 Happy Hollow Lane, Austin, Tex. 78703 Filed May 1, 1967, Ser. No. 635,082 U.S. Cl. 52639 Int. Cl. E04b 1/32, 7/08; E04c 3/10 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Heretofore in the construction of large, clear span roof systems either considerable height under the roof was required or such construction caused large horizontal forces which had to be supported. In such prior art systems, in order to provide the necesary support for cranes and other equipment, more and heavier structural materials or closer column spacing has been required. Finally, to achieve economy in construction, domed, round or arched structures have been utilized; generally speaking, such designs are undesirable for industrial buildings.

In the construction of bridges of medium and large span, on the other hand, the dead load constitutes the larger part of the total load carried by the bridge; by lessening the weight and complexity of such type structures economies can be achieved.

An object of the present invention is to provide a light, long span structure.

Another object is to provide a long span structure which is less expensive than conventionally designed structures.

A further object of the invention is the provision of minimum airspace under the roof thus reducing air conditioning and maintenance costs.

Still another object is to provide such a structure including means for supporting craneways and other equipment.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the disclosure is made in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying sheets of drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of a large span roof and/or bridge constructed in accordance with the principles of the subject invention.

FIGS. 2-11 illustrate different combinations of supports for the primary and complementary systems which may be utilized in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 1 of the drawings.

FIGS. 12-14 illustrate supports which may be used at one or both ends of the primary and/or complementary systems illustrated in FIGS. 2-11 of the drawings.

FIGS. 15-20 are diagrammatic views of other embodiments of large span roofs and/or bridges constructed in accordance with the principles of the subject invention.

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary, enlarged, vertical sectional view of a roof system which may be used in connection with the structures of FIGS. 1 and 15-20 of the drawings.

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary, enlarged, vertical sectional view of a floor system for a bridge which may be used with the structures of FIGS. 1 and 15-20 of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a system for large span roofs and/or bridges consisting, in general, of a primary system 25 and complementary system 26. The primary system consists of beam, girder or truss 27, such as is well known in the art, which beam 27 or the like is supported at each end or in proximity to each end as by means of one or more supports 28-29 as will hereinafter be more fully described in connection with FIGS. 2-10 of the drawings. It is to be understood that henceforth throughout the specification and claims the term support is used generically and consists of, but is not restricted to, fixed bearings, expansion bearings, linkages or any combination thereof or equivalents thereto.

Still referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, complementary system 26 consists in part of upwardly and inwardly extending rigid members 30-3 1 such as columns or the like, said members are secured outwardly to supports 32-33, respectively, hereinafter to be described in connection with FIGS. 2-10 of the drawings; members 30, 3-1 are either fixedly or hingedly connected at their junction in a conventional manner.

An essentially vertical interaction member 34 such as a rod, plurality of rods, cable, plate or the like is fixedly or hingedly connected to beam 27 and to the junction of members 30, 3-1. It is to be understood that member 34 may be essentially vertical, positioned laterally of the center point of said beam, and connected downwardly to beam 27 and upwardly to member 30 or 31 thereabove; additionally, member 34 may connect downwardly to beam 27 laterally of the center point of said beam and extend angularly upward to connect to the rigid member on the opposite side of the structure. Alternatively, a plurality of members, either vertical and/or non-vertical, may conventionally connect downwardly to beam 27 and upwardly to the rigid member on the respective same side of the center point of the beam, or at least one of said plurality of members may extend angularly upward to connect to the rigid member on the opposite side of the structure.

Spaced and downwardly depending interaction members 35-36 are either fixedly or hingedly connected to beam 27. It is to be understood that one or more downwardly depending member, either angularly inclined or vertical, of any desired length, may be utilized; furthermore, such interaction members 35,36 may be theoretical points on the beam. A non-straight tie 37 consisting of segments 38-40 comprises the remainder of the complementary system. One end of segment 38 connects to member 30 in proximity to the lower end thereof and extends angularly downward to connect to member 35 in proximity to the lower end thereof; segment 39 connects to members 35, 36 in proximity to the respective lower ends; segment 40 connects to member 36 in proximity to the lower end thereof and extends angularly upwards to connect to member 31 in proximity to the lower end thereof. It is understood that tie 37 may consist of any desired number of segments; alternatively, an integrally formed, bent member may support the lower end of members 35, 36 without being fixedly secured thereto.

Part of the loading on beam 27 is transferred through the internal support offered by member 34 into the complementary system causing tie 37 to be in tension. Members 35, 36 provide forces on beam 27 in a direction opposite to the vertical gravity loading because of forces developed at the point of change of slope in tie 37.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-10 of the drawings, there are shown several combinations of supports used with the primary and complementary systems heretofore described. In general, in FIGS. 2-7 of the drawings the supports for the primary and complementary systems are in essentially the same plane while in FIGS. 8-10 the supports upon at least one end of the system lie in different planes. Additionally, in FIGS. 2-3, the supporting structures for such primary and complementary systems are separate while in FIGS. -7 a common supporting structure accommodates the supports for both primary and complementary systems on opposite ends of the structure.

As shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, fixed bearing 41 supports one end of beam 27 while roller bearing 42 supports the opposite end thereof. Henceforth throughout the specification and claims a roller bearing will be defined as a bearing which restricts movement in one direction in the plane of the structure whereas a fixed bearing is a hearing which restricts movement in two directions in the plane of the structure. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, fixed bearing 43 which supports one end of the complementary system is in proximity to fixed bearing 41 whereas roller bearing 44 which supports the opposite end of the complementary system is in proximity to roller bearing 42. There is shown in FIGURE 3 a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 2 wherein roller bearing 45 and fixed bearing 46, respectively, support opposite ends of beam 27 while fixed bearing 47 and roller bearing 48 support opposite ends of the complementary system.

. In FIG. 4, fixed bearing 49 is common to both primary and complementary systems, said bearing supports one end of beam 27 and one end of the complementary system; roller bearings 50-51 support the opposite end of beam 27 and the opposite end of the complementary system, respectively.

As heretofore mentioned, in the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 the combinations of fixed and roller bearings are accommodated by separate piers, columns or other supporting structures while in the embodiments of FIGS. 5-7 a comon supporting structure accommodates the supports for both primary and complementary systems at each end of the structure. In FIG. 5, fixed bearing 52 and roller bearing 53 support opposite ends of beam 27 fixed bearing 54 to which one end of the complementary system is secured is supported by the same pier or other supporting structure as bearing 52. The opposite end of the complementary system is secured to roller bearing 55 which is supported by the same supporting structure as bearing 53.

There is shown in FIG. 6 roller bearing 56 and fixed bearing 57 which supports opposite ends of beam 27; fixed bearing 58 is secured to the same pier, column or other supporting structure as roller bearing 56 and one end of the complementary system is secured thereto; the supporting structure accommodating fixed bearing 57 also accommodates roller bearing 59 to which the opposite end of the complementary system is secured.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, fixed bearing 60 is common to both the primary and complementary systems and such bearing not only supports one end of beam 27 but also one end of the complementary system is secured thereto. A common supporting structure accommodates roller bearing 61 and roller bearing 62 to which the opposite end of beam 27 and the opposite end of the complementary system are secured, respectively.

It is to be further understood that the supports for the primary and complementary systems may be in different planes; although separate supporting structures for the primary and complementary systems are illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 of the drawings, one supporting structure having a stepped or angled surface may be utilized on at least one end of the structure as illustrated in FIG. 11 of the drawings.

In FIG. 8, fixed bearing 63 and roller bearing 64 support oposite ends of beam 27; the supporting structures for bearings 63, 64- may lie in the same plane or in different planes. In like manner, the opposite ends of the complementary system are secured to fixed bearing 65 and roller bearing 66, respectively; the supporting structures for bearings 65, 66 may be in the same plane or in different planes.

There is shown in FIG. 9 of the drawings a beam 27 which is supported at opposite ends, or in proximity thereto, by roller bearing 67 and fixed bearing 68; the supporting structures accommodating such bearings may either be in the same plane or in different planes. Opposite ends of the complementary system are secured to fixed bearing 69 and roller bearing 70, respectively; as heretofore mentioned, the supporting structures for such supports may be in the same plane or in different planes.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown a beam 27 which is supported at opposite ends as by means of fixed bearing 71 and roller bearing 72', one end of the complementary system is also secured to fixed bearing 71 while the opposite end thereof is secured to roller bearing 73; in such embodiment the supporting structures accommodating roller bearings 72, 73 are in different planes.

In the embodiment of FIG. 11, one end of beam 27 is supported by a linkage 74 such as is well-known in the art; the opposite end of said beam is supported 'by fixed bearing 75. One end of the complementary system is secured to fixed bearing 76 while the other end thereof is secured to linkage 77. Although separate supporting structures are shown for bearings 74, 76 it is to be understood that one supporting structure having vertically offset surfaces similar to the supporting structure accommodating bearing 75 and linkage 77 may be used. Furthermore, a linkage may be utilized for each roller bearing illustrated in FIGS. 2-10 of the drawings.

There is shown in FIG. 12 of the drawings another support which may be utilized in the practice of the subject invention; in such embodiment roller bearing 78 supports one end of beam 27 while roller bearing 79 additionally supports the said beam in proximity to the end thereof. As heretofore described, either a separate or a common supporting structure may accommodate bearings 78, 79.

In FIG. 13 there is shown a linkage 80 which is secured in proximity to one end of beam 27 and roller hearing 81 which additionaily supports the corresponding end of said beam; the upper surface of the supporting struc ture accommodating bearing 81 may either be horizontal or non-horizontal. Linkage 82 of FIG. 14 connects to the upper surface of beam 27 in proximity to one end thereof While linkage 83' connects to the adjacent end of said beam. Such combination of linkages may be used for each of the fixed bearings heretofore illustrated and described in connection with FIGS. 2-10 of the drawings.

There is shown in FIG. 15 another embodiment of the invention consisting of primary system 84 and complementary system 85. Beam 86 of the primary system is supported in proximity to opposite ends by means of roller bearings 87-88. Fixed bearing 89 supports one end of the complementary system while the opposite end thereof is secured to roller bearing 90. Upwardly and inwardly extending rigid members 91-92 connect downwardly to bearings 89, respectively while the junction of said members are fixedly or hingedly connected in a conventional manner. Interaction member 93 is secured downwardly to beam 86 in the manner heretofore described in connection with FIG. 1 of the drawings relative to member 34, said member 93 connects upwardly to member 91 and/ or member 92. Spaced and downwardly depending interaction members 9495 are fixedly or hingedly connected to beam '86. Tie 96 consists of segments 97-99; segment 97 connects to member 91 in proximity to the lower end thereof and extends angularly downward to connect to member 94 in proximity to the lower end thereof; segment 98 connects to members 94, in proximity to the respective lower ends thereof; segment 99 connects to member 95 in proximity to the lower end thereof and extends angularly upward to connect to member 92 in proximity to the lower end thereof. Member 100' consists of a plate, plurality of struts or the like and connects tie 96 of the complementary system to beam 86 of the primary system to provide lateral stability therefor. In such embodiment of the invention either a common or separate supporting structures may accommodate bearings 87, 89 and 88, 90

respectively and the supporting structures for the primary and complementary systems may either be in the same plane or in different planes.

There is shown in FIG 16 another embodiment of the invention consisting of primary system 101 and complementary system 102; primary system 101 consists of beam 103 having sections 104-105 connected together as by means of hinge 106 or the like. It is to be understood that beam 103 may consist of any desired number of sections conventionally secured together. Fixed bearing 107 is common to both primary and complementary systems and one end of beam 103 of the primary system 101 is supported thereby as well as one end of the complementary system. The opposite end of beam 103 is supported by roller bearing 108 and the corresponding end of the complementary system is supported by roller bearing 109. Upwardly and inwardly extending rigid members 110-111 of the complementary system connect outwardly to bearings 107, 109 respectively and the junction of said members are fixedly or hingedly connected in a conventional manner.

Interaction member 112 connects downwardly to beam 103; in such figure, member 112 is shown to be angularly inclined, connecting downwardly to section 105 of the beam and upwardly to member 111. It is understood that member 112 may either be vertical or non-vertical and connect downwardly to either section of the beam and upwardly to either rigid member 110, 111. Downwardly depending member 112 is fixedly or hingedly secured to beam 103. A non-straight tie 113 consisting of segments 114-115 completes the complementary system. One end of segment 114 is secured to member 110 in proximity to the lower end thereof; said member extends angularly downward and the other end connects to member 112 in proximity to the lower end thereof; segment 115 connects to member 112 in proximity to the lower end thereof and extends angularly upward to connect to member 111 in proximity to the lower end. It is to be understood that tie 113 may consist of an integrally formed bent member which supports the lower end of member 112 without being fixedly secured thereto. Roller bearings 108, 109 may be accommodated by a common supporting structure or upon separate supporting structures; as heretofore mentioned, at least one end of the primary and complementary systems may be supported as by means of linkages in the manner heretofore described in connection with FIGS. 11 and 13 of the drawings:

In FIG. 17 of the drawings beam 116 of the primary system includes a plurality of sections 117- 119 which are connected together as by means of hinges 120 or the like. Roller bearings 121-122 support opposite ends of beam 116. Complementary system 123 consists, in part, of upwardly and inwardly extending rigid members 124-125 which are secured outwardly to fixed bearing 126 and roller bearing 127, respectively. The junction of members 124, 125 are fixedly or hingedly connected in a conventional manner. A plurality of interaction members 128- 129 are secured downwardly to beam 116 and upwardly, in a conventional manner, to members 124, 125 respectively. Downwardly depending member 130 fixedly or hingedly connects to one lateral section of the beam; it is to be understood that a downwardly depending member may also be fixedly or hingedly secured to section 119 of the beam in accordance with the principles of the invention.

Complementary system 123 further includes a nonstraight tie 131 consisting of segments 132-134; more particularly, segment 132 connects to member 124 in proximity to the lower end and extends angularly downward to connect to member 130 in proximity to the lower end thereof; segment 133 connects to member 130 in proximity to the lower end thereof and to one end of sec tion 118 of the beam; segment 134 connects to the opposite end of section 118 of the beam and extends angularly upward to connect to member 125 in proximity to the lower end thereof. Roller bearing 121 and fixed bearing 126 on one end of the system and roller bearings 122, 127 upon the opposite end thereof may be supported upon separate or common supporting structures. Also, at least one end of the primary and/or complementary systems may be supported by means of linkages in the manner heretofore described in detail in connection with FIGS. 11, 13 and 14 of the drawings.

Referring now to FIG. 18 of the drawings, there is shown another embodiment of the invention wherein primary system 135 consists of beam 136, the opposite ends of which are supported by fixed bearing 137 and roller bearing 138. Complementary system 139 consists in part of an arch 140 the opposite ends of which are supported by fixed bearing 137 heretofore mentioned and roller bearing 141. Spaced and upwardly extending interaction members 142-143 connect in a conventional manner to beam 136 and arch 140.

Spaced and downwardly depending members 142-143 are fixedly or hingedly connected to beam 136. Tie 144 consists of segments 145-147; segment 145 is secured to arch 140 in proximity to one end thereof and extends angularly downward to connect to member 142 in proximity to the lower end thereof; segment 146 connects to members 142, 143 in proximity to the respective lower ends; segment 147 connects to member 143 in proximity to the lower end thereof and extends angularly upward to connect to the opposite end of arch 140.

The embodiment of FIG. 19 is a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 18 of the drawings; more specifically, beam 148 of the primary system includes a plurality of sections 149-151, the adjacent sections of which are connected as by means of hinges 152 such as are well-known in the art. Fixed bearing 153 and roller bearing 154 support opposite ends of beam 148.

Complementary system 155 includes an arch 156 having sections 157-158 connected as by means of binge 159 or the like. Fixed bearing 153 heretofore mentioned and roller bearing 159 support opposite ends of arch 156. Upwardly extending interaction members 160-161 connect to beam 148 and arch 156, respectively. Although member 160 is shown to be angularly inclined and connected downwardly to section 150 of the beam in proximity to one hinge 152 and upwardly to section 157 of the arch, and member 161 is angularly inclined and connected downwardly in proximity to hinge 152 intermediate sections 150, 151 and upwardly in proximity to hinge 159, it is understood that members 160, 161 may be either vertical or non-vertical and connect to any selected portion of beam 148 and arch 156, respectively, as determined by static requirements.

Each of the combinations of supports heretofore described in connection with FIGS. 2-14 of the drawings may be utilized to support the primary and complementary systems of FIGS. 18 and 19.

Spaced and downwardly depending members 162-163 are fixedly or hingedly connected to beam 148. Tie 164 consists of segments 165-167; segment 165 is secured to section 157 in proximity to the lower end thereof and extends angularly downward to connect to member 162 in proximity to the lower end thereof; segment 166 connects to members 162, 163 in proximity to the respective lower ends; segment 167 connects to member 163 in proximity to the lower end and extends angularly upward to connect to section 158 in proximity to the lower end thereof.

There is shown in FIG. 20 of the drawings a multi-span bridge or the like wherein primary system 168 consists of beam 169 the sections 170-171 of which are connected as by means of hinge 172 or the like. Roller bearings 173-174 support opposite ends of beam 169. Complementary system 175 consists of rigid members 176- more particularly, members 176, 177 connect upwardly in a conventional manner; the lower end of member 177 is conventionally secured to beam 169 in proximity to hinge 172. In like manner, the lOWer end of member 178 is secured to beam 169 in proximity to hinge 172, the said member extends angularly upward to conventionally connect to the upper end of member 179. Horizontally extending member 180 conventionally conmeets to the junction of members 176, 177 and 178, 179 respectively. The lower ends of members 176, 179' are conventionally secured to fixed bearing 181 and roller bearing 182, respectively. Converging interaction members 183-184 connect downwardly to section 170 and upwardly to the junction of members 176, 17 7 while converging interaction members 185-186 connect downwardly to section 171 and upwardly to the junction or members 178, 179 respectively.

Spaced and downwardly depending members 187-190 are fixedly or hingedly connected to beam 169. More specifically, members 187, 188 are spaced and secured to section 170 while members 189, 190 are spaced and secured to section 171. A non-straight tie 191 consists of segments 192-197. Segment 192 connects to member 176 in proximity to the lower end and extends angularly downward to connect to member 187 in proximity to the lower end thereof; segment 193 connects to members 187, 188 in proximity to the respective lower ends; segment 194 connects to member 188 in proximity to the lower end thereof and extends angularly upward to connect to the junction of members 177, 178. In like manner, segment 195 connects to said junction and extends angularly downward to connect to member 189 in proximity to the lower end; segment 196 connects to members 189, 190 in proximity to the respective lower ends while segment 197 connects to member 190 in proximity to the lower end and extends angularly upward to connect to member 179 in proximity to the lower end thereof.

There is shown in FIG. 21 of the drawings a typical section of a roof system 198 or the like which may be utilized in connection with each beam 199 heretofore described in detail. More specifically, a plurality of spaced, open-webbed, steel joists 200 are conventionally secured to beam 199. Overlapped sheets of corrugated metal 201 or the like are secured thereto followed by one or more courses of an insulating material 202 with a roofing surface 203 conventionally placed thereon.

In FIG. 22 of the drawings there is shown a typical section of a floor system 204 such as is used in bridge construction and the like. A plurality of spaced floor beams 205 are conventionally secured to any of the beams 206 heretofore described; a plurality of longitudinally extending and spaced stringers 207 connect at each end to the said fioor beams. A wearing surface 208 such as reinforced concrete is deposited on the structure thus formed.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates to only preferred embodiments of the invention [and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the examples of the invention herein chosen for the purposes of the disclosure, which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A long span structure consisting of a primary system and a complementary system,

said primary system comprising at least one structural member having first :and second ends,

at least first and second supports for said respective first and second ends of said structural member, said complementary system comprising a geometrical shape having first and second ends,

first and second supports for said respective first and second ends of said complementary system,

at least one member connected downwardly to said structural member and upwardly to said geometrical shape,

at least one downwardly depending member secured to said structural member,

a non-straight tie comprising at least first and second lateral segments,

said first lateral segment connected to said geometrical shape in proximity to said first end and supporting at least one downwardly depending member, said second lateral segment connected to said geometrical shape in proximity to said second end and supporting at least one downwardly depending member,

whereby upon loading of said primary system one of said supports for said complementary system permits longitudinal displacement of said complementary system and said complementary system is stressed.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said structural member consists of a plurality of hiugedly connected sections.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said downwardly depending member is a theoretical point on said structural member.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein at least one segment of said non-straight tie is common with said structural member.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein one end of said primary and complementary systems have a common support.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said geometrical shape is an arch.

7. A long span structure consisting of a primary system and a complementary system,

said primary system comprising at least one elongated structural member having first and second ends, first and second supports for said respective first and second ends of said primary system,

said complementary system comprising at least first and second upwardly extending rigid members each having first and second ends,

supports for said respective first ends of said rigid members,

said second ends of said rigid members connected,

at least one member connected downwardly to said structural member and upwardly to at least one rigid member,

at least one downwardly depending member secured to said structural member,

a non-straight tie comprising at least first and second lateral segments,

said first lateral segment connected to said first rigid member in proximity to said first end and to at least one downwardly depending member,

said second lateral segment connected to said second rigid member in proximity to said first end and to at least one downwardly depending member, whereby upon loading of said primary system one of said supports for said complementary system permits longitudinal displacement of said complementary system and said complementary system is stressed.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,345,501 7/1920 Morrison 52-644 X 1,391,122 9/1921 Knudsen 52642 2,380,953 8/1945 Dubassofi 52-225 3,158,959 12/1964 Ratlitf 52226 ALFRED C. PERHAM, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

